Striving for Musical Independence

Belgrade's independent music scene flourishes as more underground venues appear in the Serbian capital.

David Galic

BIRNBelgrade

“Sometimes I sing about the city with anger, sometimes with love. But in any case, I have strong emotions towards my city,” Pavlica said.

He believes that the independent music scene inBelgradehas really blossomed over the last several years and that this has had a profound effect on not only him, but everyone involved in this scene as well.

Damjan od Resnika practice and perform in the old Bigz building, which is known as the absolute epicenter of creativity for independent music being produced in Belgrade.

Many Belgrade bands rent practice space there and it is also the location where underground venues have appeared over the last several years as the number of legitimate venues in the city centre dwindles.

Due to these reasons, the band chose one of the Bigz building’s venues to promote its new album and to play a set with the entire band last Saturday. They also played an acoustic gig last night at club Žica.

Pavlica addressed the difference between the new album and the band’s debut, “Pored Vatre” (Next to the Fire), stating that while the first album was mainly acoustic and ambient, the new one will be much rawer and more aggressive. Pavlica describes the new sound as “a combination of atmospheric music and new wave.”

Lyrically, Pavlica says that “social themes are at the forefront again, mainly despair and the hope that is born from it.”

Even though Pavlica remains the main songwriter, singer and lyricist, the band has grown into an entity of its own with the new material. They now have four permanent members – Pavlica on guitar Ivana Blažević on violin and vocals, Miloš Bakalović playing drums and percussion and Nemanja Jovanović on bass and accordion – but when playing live and in the studio, the band calls on various musicians and instrumentalists to make the sound more unpredictable and richer.

When asked about further plans for promoting the new album, Pavlica stated that the band intends to play most of the important summer festivals occuring in Serbia this year.

They especially look forward to playing Prnjavorstock, which is a sentimental favorite of the band and is organised by their drummer, Bakalović.

“Protiv Tebe” is expected to be released in the near future by record labels Slušaj najglasnije! in Croatia and Fair Share inSerbia, and the new single “Mali” has already been released on the band’s official Facebook and Youtube pages.